This is the official, not to mention only, web portal in the world dedicated exclusively to the legacy of Jack and Helen Frye!

The Frye Legacy-a Lifetime of Accomplishment!

By Randall Reynolds

The Sedona Legend Web Site is a copyrighted historical photo enhanced narrative presented for educational and entertainment purposes. Some materials may be displayed in regard to the United States Fair Use Act. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income nor does it seek or has it ever accepted a single donation. It is an independent venture.

Sedona Legend was envisioned and created to provide Red Rock State Park visitors a comprehensive historic overview for Jack and Helen Frye and their Deer-Lick and Smoke Trail Ranches. This effort is now officially cited by R.R.S.P. as an indepth historical venue representing Jack and Helen Frye.

Sedona Legend is encouraged by the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye. A gracious thank you to the Frye and Varner families for invaluable support and Red Rock State Park staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm.

The Helen Frye House of Apache Firesis Featured Prominently in this Walt Disney Classic

The Legend of the Boy and the Eagle was written by a friend of Helen's named White Bear Fredericks of Sedona. Many of his friends (including Helen) encouraged him to develop the old Indian tale into a story. White Bear was a treasured faculty member of Verde Valley School. Helen was involved in a program for many years whereas art students from Verde Valley School used her House of Apache Fires as an off-campus location of sorts. This beautiful and poignant movie was said to have been made for the Wonderful World of Disney and aired on the show's time slot on Sunday night; however, even though the movie indeed aired on the show (12-29-1967) I have found evidence that it was also released in theaters too. The images seen here are theatre display posters which were distributed nationwide. Walt Disney was not involved with this particular film as he passed away a year before production. The story was based on an authentic Hopi legend. The priest in the movie was played by White Bear himself and the lead (Tutuvina) was played by child actor (Stanford Lomakema) from the Arizona Hopi reservation. The eagle (called Oh Mau Mana in the movie) was a trained bird that had also appeared in Lassie television shows.

If you have an opportunity to view this amazing film you will see the House of Apache Fires which masqueraded as the Indian family’s dwelling (onset of film) as well as the Jack and Helen Frye Ranch and Oak Creek. Interesting is the lush Ocotillo saplings which were once used on the exterior of the Apache Fires house for overhang shading by Helen Frye. The edge of the Apache Fires house is seen in the right corner of the lower right color photo above.

Rumor has it that Walt Disney spent part of a summer at the House of Apache Fires- while Helen moved down below (temporarily) to the Willow House. The visit is not verified and seems quite unlikely but Helen did entertain many V.I.P.'s at her ranch. Perhaps Disney needed a little R&R to explore the scenic beauty of Sedona- Disney artists were inspired by the area as well. Evidence of the Disney association can be found down by Red Rock Crossing (Disney Lane). Helen and Jack knew many celebrities and Walt and his family occasionally flew on TWA airliners.

Walt Disney and the Sedona Frye Ranch

Famous is the TWA Rocket which once graced Disneyland (left).

Walt is seen in later years at the stairs of a TWA Constellation (right).